NASS bars Ministers, aides from Buhari’s budget presentation

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has declared that COVID-19 protocols would be fully observed during the presentation of the 2021 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly today by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said most of the presidential aides, who are not directly involved in the budget process, would not be admitted into the chambers.

He said those, who would not be admitted may, however, join the session virtually.

Some governors, ministers, top presidential aides and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had in the past accompanied the President to present the budget.

Lawan spoke following a motion by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), in the floor of the Senate, titled: “That the Senate and House of Representatives do sit in a joint session to receive an address by Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on Thursday, October 8, 2020, at 11.00am on the 2021 Appropriation Bill.”

The Senate President said the presentation will last for roughly one hour.

Lawan said: “The joint session normally takes place in the chamber of the House of Representatives.

“It is going to be the same. It will take place there but by this time around, because of the situation of COVID-19, we have made arrangements to observe social distancing in the chamber.

“We also have to wear out face masks mandatorily. We are going to also abridge the entire event because we will be many there.

“So, the entire event will last just about an hour. From the entry of the President into the chamber and addresses and the presentation and laying will be just an hour event so that we are able to comply with the requirements of the COVID-19 protocol.

“Mr. President too, this time around, will not be accompanied by many people on the entourage.

“Only a few people – very key and relevant to budget – will accompany Mr. President into the chamber.” (The Nation)